Cardio can be boring. We get it. There is nothing more uninteresting than running on a treadmill or completing 30 minutes on an elliptical machine five times a week. That’s why it is good to find aerobic training activities that are not so repetitive. This will help you break up the monotony of your workout and keep you motivated to stay fit throughout the week. Best of all, these activities give you a chance to go out and try something new.
The biggest thing stopping most people from trying a new fitness activity is fear. They are afraid of embarrassing themselves or upsetting other more experienced participants. However, this is almost always more a mental hurdle than a real obstacle. The fact is most people who participate in these activities were at one time a beginner as well and are more than happy to help out newcomers.
Don’t let fear stop you from trying something different when it comes to your cardio routine. Go out and participate in something new. Here are three activities for you to try that will help revive your boring cardio sessions. In most cases, you can even find a beginner's program if you want to take it slow.
Boxing
Boxing is one of the few activities out there that is the total package when it comes to working out. And while hitting the punching bag will help you build up your strength and hand-eye coordination, we’re only going to focus on the cardio benefits this time around. High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) is all the rave and boxing is a great way to mix-up the pace of your cardio session. You can really switch up the intensity of your boxing session and a good 30 minutes of boxing can be more beneficial than 60 minutes on a treadmill.
Another good thing about boxing is that a lot gyms have all the equipment you need including punching bags and gloves. There are also specialty boxing gyms popping up that offer classes that mix in boxing as part of a circuit training routine. Finally, it’s easier to get motivated to box at the end of a long, stressful day than it is to run on a treadmill. Boxing can provide a nice outlet for you to release some stress and just might even become a form of cardio exercise you look forward too.
Step Aerobics
About 20 years ago, step aerobic classes were dominated by women in leotards, tights and leg warmers. As the times have changed, so too have the demographics and now men are finally starting to make their way into step classes. The reasons are quite obvious. Step aerobic classes last anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour and provide a range of dynamic movements and intensities that provide maximum cardio benefits.
If you're worried about looking foolish during a step class, you shouldn’t be. Since the instructor is always changing the routine by adding new moves and songs, most people in the class won’t know exactly what is coming next. The step class instructor will demonstrate the next move before you will do it so you don’t need to have anything memorized either. Just watch the instructor and you’ll be good to go.
Soccer
Given the nature of soccer, it’s easy to see why a person would be intimidated to give it a try. It appears to involve 90 minutes of running. The reality is that it is not nearly that intense at the recreational level as you have unlimited substitutions. This means you can take a break and sub out when you are tired. And while there is a lot of running in soccer, it is mostly HIIT-based involving short quick burst, slow jogs and walks.
More importantly, whether you play in a league or a friendly game of pickup at the park, you’re almost certainly to be welcomed and find a skill level that allows you to be comfortable. Like yourself, most people playing recreational soccer do so as a means to stay in shape and have fun, not for wins and glory. In addition to traditional outdoor soccer, you can also find indoor soccer facilities that let you play all year around.
Ready to jump start your cardio routine? We can help with that. Our trainers are experts in coming up with new and exciting ways to supercharge your workouts.
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